The three of them sat on the couch and watched the other guests enjoy their wine and champagne. Rasmus was warned to not drink anything that the maids or servants served. He had just heard from Erlina that Esteban was a physician and an alchemist who drugged and made everyone taste his creations without them knowing.

As a republican country, nobles didn’t hold more power than others. But because of Esteban’s influence, land, power, and wealth he became one of the ministers of Cruen. He was a strong individual because not only did he get full support from all the nobles, the common folks also loved him because of his so-called drugs.

“He’s trying to make this nation into his own empire,” Rasmus said and watched the guests begin to lose control of their thoughts and bodies. “Turning his peers into addicts, controlling them using drugs.”

“Yeah, and every brothel house in this city, they all use similar drugs into their drinks and incense with similar effects. This city, this nation, everyone will soon fall if this man is left alone…” Erlina nodded in agreement. “He used people’s low points as his way in to introduce them to drugs. He’s making people depend on him,” she added and then looked at Carrion.

Carrion looked down and unlike Rasmus and Erlina, he only wore a mask that covered the top half of his face. He looked ashamed and worthless to fall into the temptation and used it to escape from reality.

“This has been happening for how long?” Rasmus looked at Erlina and Carrion.

“Three years,” Carrion answered as he sat straight and rested his elbows on his thighs. “It was thanks to the Vivelda and the Urion companies. They’re the ones who brought the ingredients to make the drugs. They also taught him about it,” he added as he sighed.

Rasmus raised his brows and found out that the ones who were responsible for Esteban’s actions were those two. It was another reason why he had to get rid of those two companies from Cruen or even from South Neva. He despised people who fell for desires, especially people who got addicted to drugs because they couldn’t be controlled and only brought problems.

“It’s time to work, Erlina,” Rasmus stared into Erlina’s eyes with a serious gaze.

Erlina nodded and slowly rose from the couch as she fixed her dress. Carrion furrowed his brows with a confused look when he saw Rasmus and Erlina getting up from the couch.

“Work?” Carrion looked up at them. He noticed how Rasmus had wrapped his arm around Erlina’s hip.

“Yes, work,” Erlina looked down at Carrion. “My dear patron wants to use me to gain information from these people,” she answered as she wrapped her arm around Rasmus’s waist.

“I can help with that,” Carrion said as he got up. “What do you need?” He looked at Rasmus with a serious expression and a cold gaze.

Rasmus could see the jealousy in Carrion’s eyes, but he ignored it. He wanted to make Carrion’s jealousy the fuel for Carrion to change and become someone useful. He knew that Erlina would be the best way to make Carrion into someone that he needed.

“Anything will be fine, as long as they’re useful,” Rasmus answered coldly, his gaze met with Carrion’s. “Now, shall we enjoy the party,” he glanced at Erlina, his voice soft and gentle.

“We shall,” Erlina responded with a playful tone and guided Rasmus to talk with the other guests.

Rasmus followed Erlina’s guide and spoke to the other guests when needed. He allowed her to make up his backstory and who he was, a merchant from the Western region. He witnessed how she was being confronted by the other madams and how she retaliated, with her skillful tongue and words.

“Oh, Madam Erlina…” A woman in a shiny yellow dress approached Erlina, she hid her lower half of her face that wasn’t covered by her mask with a folding fan. “I heard you’re having a rough time in Eddenvilla. Less and less customers are coming to your place, isn’t it? I hope those women of yours aren’t lonely,” the woman giggled, mocking her and with a hint of jealousy in her eyes because of Erlina’s beautiful costume and alluring body.

“Yes, it’s getting less and less customers, but my ladies aren’t lonely at all. This gentleman right here, he brings satisfaction for those ladies of man. A single man who can give me both pleasure and profit,” Erlina turned her head toward Rasmus. “Not only them, but I’m also getting a share of his manliness…” She chuckled softly as she brushed her hand on Rasmus’s chest.

“That’s right…” Rasmus looked down and stared into Erlina’s eyes. “No women in this city can match with your beauty and talent…” he said in a gentle and deep voice, his grip on her hip tightened.

“Oh, my dear patron…” Erlina giggled playfully as her fingers traced on Rasmus’s neck. “Let’s have some fun tonight. I can’t get enough of your manliness…” she added as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

The woman looked irritated and decided to walk away because it disgusted her and realized there was no point in arguing with her anymore.

“Thank you,” Erlina slowly pulled away from Rasmus.

“You’re welcome,” Rasmus responded. “Now, can you help me spread rumors about the pirate crew that humiliated Commander Mercurius?” He whispered as he glanced at the eyes that began to look at him.

“Ah, I know the right people who would use that information as leverage for popularity,” Erlina nodded as she wrapped her arm around Rasmus’s waist. “Follow my lead, my dear patron.”

Erlina moved to another room and that was when Rasmus saw people sitting at the long table with a glass of wine in their hands. He could tell how expensive their costumes were and the aura around them was enough to tell they were important people.

Erlina began to show what she was capable of by joining the group and striking up a conversation seamlessly. Their attentions turned toward Erlina because of her confidence and soothing voice. Once she grasped their attention, she began to spread the rumor about a pirate that had destroyed more than a dozen marine ships and managed to escape Mercurius.

They knew Erlina and she had quite the reputation in Republic of Cruen, both good and bad. The most important image that she upheld was her words that were based on the truth.

“We heard from merchants about this matter. Commander Mercurius are sending his ships at the border and checked every ship that are entering our sea,” a fat man said as he swirled his wine. “So it was a pirate, huh? It has been a while since they make a scene,” he looked at Erlina.

“Oh, by the way, Madam Erlina, I heard that Rasmus Blackheart is in Eddenvilla now,” a man crossed his arms and stared at Erlina. “And I also heard that he visited your place often. What kind of a person he is?” He asked.

Both Erlina and Rasmus immediately shared a look, but then Rasmus nodded slightly, signaling her to answer the question truthfully.

“Yeah, he’s quite a charming man if I must say,” Erlina answered as she nodded her head.

Everyone shifted their discussion from the pirate to Rasmus, and they were curious what kind of man he was. Rasmus listened to the conversation and he glanced at one of them that abruptly excused himself. Erlina and Rasmus shared a glance because they found that man with the tiger mask suspicious.

“(Found you)” Rasmus thought and watched the man move hurriedly.

Rasmus decided to follow the man, leaving Erlina alone in that room. She wanted to stop him, but she couldn’t since she had the perfect opportunity to gain information from those people at the table. She decided to stay and continue her job even though she was anxious about being alone in that room.

“Oh, here you are…” Carrion said as he sat beside Erlina.

Erlina turned her head and she was glad that Carrion had come in.

“So, what are you guys talking about?” Carrion looked at the others at the table. “May I join in?” He raised his brows.

“I think you did it backward, Carrion. You should ask first if you’re allowed to join before you ask about what we’re discussing,” the fat man laughed and was followed by the others.

“Oh, my bad, but you guys know me, so I think it’s fine,” Carrion laughed with them, making the atmosphere less unnerving for Erlina.

Rasmus on the other hand followed the man from a safe distance. He kept following the man until there were fewer and fewer people around. The man suddenly entered a room in the long hallway, and Rasmus decided to use his wind magic so he could eavesdrop from the distance.

“It has been confirmed…”

“What is?”

“Rasmus Blackheart is in Eddenvilla…”

“Is that so?”

“What should we do?”

“I’ll inform them… We will send people to keep an eye on him…”

Rasmus listened to the conversation as he leaned against the wall among the crowd. He could barely understand the conversation, but it was good enough for him to know that an organization similar to The Wraiths also existed in Cruen.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep